234 Transactions. — Zoology. 



In England and on the Continent — especially the latter — the 

 mole-cricket is a terrible trouble, doing incalculable damage in 

 the cornfields, pastures, and gardens. Germany and the south 

 of France suffer most extensively, but the pest is gradually and 

 surely working its way northwards, and is also common in 

 many parts of England, especially in moist districts. 



In Germany they have been known to destroy as much as 

 one-fourth of the young corn-crop. They are also very fond 

 of peas, beans, cabbage, and lettuce. Should they find their 

 way into a kitchen-garden they will sometimes destroy 

 whole beds of young plants in a single night. They burrow 

 in the ground and eat the roots, so that the destruction is 

 complete. 



One species has of late years caused enormous damage 

 amongst the pastures and sugar-cane plantations in the island 

 of St. Vincent, 



They live underground, are large and very powerful, and 

 are said to be capable of propelling a 61b. weight on a smooth 

 surface. Their fore feet are like those of a mole, and are pecu- 

 liarly adapted for burrowing. During the day they remain 

 in their burrows, along which they can move backwards or 

 forwards with equal facility, being provided with two filaments 

 at the end of the abdomen, which are used when a backward 

 movement is desired. 



These insects are probably familiar to some of you, and I 

 have here specimens and drawings which may be examined, 

 so that it is not necessary I should inflict on you a description 

 of their personal appearance. 



At the beginning of summer the female excavates, near 

 her burrow, a cavity shaped somewhat like a lemonade-bottle, 

 with a long neck, which is turned up and communicates with 

 the surface and with her burrow. In this chamber she deposits 

 some three or fom- hundred eggs. She then carefully seals up 

 the entrance. In about a month or five weeks these eggs, 

 which are about the size of small peas, hatch out, and the 

 young at once commence to feed upon the tender roots of the 

 surrounding plants. 



When first hatched they measure only from j^^n. to -Jin., 

 and are destitute of wings, but when adult they measure 

 nearly 2in., and have wings. 



Tliey pass the winter months in the earth, coming forth as 

 spring advances. Their presence may be traced by the little 

 mounds of earth like miniature molehills, and by the yellow 

 withered patches which disfigure pastures and gardens. 



I have now seen three specimens captured in New Zealand; 

 it is therefore reasonable to suppose that they have, to 

 some extent at least, established themselves here, and it is 

 probable, in consequence of the rapid progress new pests 



